Program guide system with advertisements

274 166 T3

DESCRIPTION

Program guide system with advertisements.

This invention relates to interactive television program guides, and more particularly to techniques for presenting advertisements to users of such television program guides.

Broadcast cable, satellite and television systems provide viewers with a large number of television channels. Viewers consulted the schedules of printed television programs to determine which programs were broadcast at a particular time. More recently, interactive electronic television program guides have been developed that allow television program information to be displayed on a viewer's television.

Interactive program guides are typically implemented in set-top boxes. Said program guides allow users to view television program listings in different display formats. For example, a user may instruct the program guide to display a grid of program listings organized according to a channel or hourly list. Users can also search and sort program listings by subject (eg, movies, sports, etc.) or by title (ie, alphabetically). The user can obtain additional information on a program by placing an highlighted area in a desired list of programs and pressing an "info" key. The user can buy a paid program from the program guide or can set a reminder for a future program by placing an highlighted area in a program listing and pressing the "OK" key. Some systems allow the user to select a program to record by placing the highlighted area on a list of programs and pressing the "record" key.

Although interactive program guides make it easier for the user to locate the programming of interest, it would be desirable if there were more information and more options available to the user. For example, it would be desirable if advertisements were available in the program guide to give the user access to more information and services.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television program guide system that provides advertising on various program guide screens.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an interactive television program guide system with interactive advertising.

It is also an object of the invention to provide ways in which the user can navigate to the various advertisements in the program guide. Summary of the invention

The present invention is set forth in the appended claims. Some optional features are set out in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect, a system is provided having an interactive television program guide that can be displayed above and below a program listing area. The user can scroll the program listings in the program listings area by using a cursor key to move the highlighted area to the top or bottom banner ad and then activating the cursor key again.

Ads can contain text, graphics (including animation), and video. Announcements may also contain a list of program options.

Embedded advertisements are provided in the program listings area. The program guide can display such embedded advertisements immediately adjacent to a listing of related programs. For example, an advertisement for a show for "Seinfeld" may be placed immediately adjacent to a list of shows for the NBC channel, which is the channel on which the show "Seinfeld" appears as scheduled.

Panel announcements are provided adjacent to program listings. The highlighted area can navigate between the program listings in the program listings and panel announcements area, using the dedicated remote control navigation keys (for example, the keys labeled “A”, “B” and "C"), where each one is associated with a particular area of ​​the screen (for example, one of the panel advertisements or the program listings area). This type of configuration can also be used to navigate to banner ads.

Another way in which you can navigate the panel announcements is by using the remote control cursor keys.

In the event that embedded advertisements are provided in the program listing area, they may be used as navigation bridges between the program listing area and the panel advertisements. The highlight can be made to navigate from the program listings area to the panel advertisements without using such navigation bridges if desired.

Additional features of the invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Brief description of the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram of a system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram of a system similar to the system of Figure 1, showing how servers can be located at nodes in the network in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an illustrative program guide screen containing panel advertisements and a program listing area in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4a is a simplified plan view of an illustrative remote control for use in the present invention.

Figure 4b is a simplified plan view of another illustrative remote control for use in the present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram of an illustrative program guide screen containing advertising information (text, graphics, and video) and options2.

ES 2 274 166 T3 advertisements in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a diagram of illustrative advertising options in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a guide screen illustrative of a program guide containing panel advertisements and a program listing area having an embedded advertisement in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a screen of an illustrative program guide containing panel advertisements and a program listings area having a scrollable embedded advertisement with program listings in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide containing panel advertisements and a program listing area having an embedded advertisement with a fixed position within the program listings in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 is a diagram of an embedded advertisement configuration in which the user can search through the program listings without altering the position of the advertisement in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 11a, 11b, and 11c are illustrative diagrams of how embedded advertisements can be entered into a real-time program listings area, using a special graphic effect in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 12a and 12b are diagrams illustrating how the user can navigate with a highlight to select logos, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide containing panel advertisements and a program listing area having two embedded advertisements used as navigation bridges in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide containing panel advertisements and a program listing area in which the user can navigate directly through panel advertisements, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 15 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide containing banner advertisements and a program listing area between which the user can navigate using special navigation keys in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 16 is a diagram of an illustrative program guide screen containing banner advertisements showing how the user can scroll through program listings by pressing a cursor key after navigating with an illumination of one of the banner type advertisements, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of an illustrative program guide screen containing panel advertisements and a banner advertisement related to the selectable program in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide that may be provided when the user selects a program-related advertisement, such as the program-related banner advertisement of FIG. 17, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide that may be provided when the user selects an advertisement related to a "pay per view" program in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 20 is a diagram of an illustrative screen of a program guide with banner ads (top screen), an illustrative screen that may be provided when the advertisement related to a "pay per view" program has been selected (middle screen). ), and an illustrative screen that may be provided when selecting an advertisement related to a "no pay per view" program (bottom screen), in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 21 is a diagram of an illustrative program guide screen containing a program listing area with an embedded advertisement that has been automatically positioned adjacent to an associated program listing in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing how a program guide in accordance with the present invention can provide a program guide screen containing advertisements related to a particular channel (top screen) and the way that the selection of said advertisement may direct the program guide to present a program guide screen containing an hourly list of program listings for that channel (screen lower), in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 23 is a flow chart of the steps involved in displaying selectable advertisements and taking appropriate actions when such advertisements may be selected, using a program guide in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

An illustrative system 30 of a program guide in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 32 contains a program guide database 34 for storing program guide information such as television program guide listing data, "pay per view" system order information ”, Promotional information for television programs, etc. The main facility 32 also contains an advertisement database 36 for storing the advertisement information. Information from databases 34 and 36 can be transmitted to television distribution facility 38 via communications link 40. Link 40 may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable communication path. If it is desired to transmit video signals (for example, for advertising and promotional videos) over the link 40 in addition to the data signals it will generally be preferable to use a high bandwidth link such as a per-link link.

ES 2 274 166 T3 satellite, rather than a relatively low bandwidth link such as a telephone line.

Television distribution facility 38 is a facility for distributing television signals to users, such as a cable system headend, broadcast distribution facility, or satellite television distribution facility.

The program guide information transmitted by main facility 32 to television distribution facility 38 includes television program listings such as program times, channels, titles, descriptions, and the like. Broadcast program information also includes paid program data such as pricing information for individual programs and subscription channels, time windows for ordering programs and channels, phone numbers for ordering that is not available. can be performed compulsively, etc. The advertising information transmitted by main facility 32 to television distribution facility 38 includes text, graphics, and video advertisements for the various products and services. If desired, some of the program guide and advertising information may be provided using on-site data sources in addition to the main facility 32. For example, data related to the processing of orders for payment programs (for example, billing data and the like) can be generated by a data processing, and the billing system that is independent of the main facility 32, and independent of the television distribution facility 38. Similarly, the advertising information may be generated by an advertising facility that is independent of the main facility 32 and the television distribution facility 38.

Regardless of its source, the advertising information may be maintained on a server 42 within the television distribution facility 38 if so desired. Server 42 may be capable of handling text, graphics, and video.

Television distribution facility 38 distributes program guide and advertising information to multi-user television equipment of user 44 via communication paths 46. User television equipment 44 may be any suitable equipment to provide television to the user that contains sufficient processing capabilities to be able to implement an interactive television program guide. Paths 46 may be cable links, fiber optic links, satellite links, broadcast links, or another suitable link or combination of such links. Any suitable communications scheme can be used to transmit the data over paths 46, including in-band transmissions, out-of-band transmissions, digital transmissions, analog transmissions, cable transmissions, satellite transmissions, radio transmissions, transmissions multi-point and multi-channel distribution services (MMDS), etc.

If so desired, the program guide data can be distributed through an out-of-band channel on paths 46 or through an in-band path such as vertical blanking interval (VBI). Advertising information can be distributed using any of the appropriate techniques. For example, text and picture ads can be delivered through an out-of-band channel using an out-of-band modulator. Video advertisements can also be distributed in this way, although large amounts of video information can be more efficiently distributed using one or more digital channels on path 46. Such digital channels can also be used to distribute text and graphics.

Each user has a receiver, which is typically a set-top box such as set-top box 48, but which may be other suitable television equipment, such as an advanced receiver into which circuitry similar to a set-top box circuit has been integrated, or Well a television / personal computer (PC / TV). The program guide data is distributed to set-top boxes 48 periodically. Television distribution facility 38 may also poll set-top boxes 48 periodically for certain information (eg, account information for pay programs, or information regarding programs that have been purchased and viewed using locally generated licensing techniques. ). The main installation 32 preferably contains a processor to manage the information distribution tasks. Each set-top box 48 preferably contains a processor to manage the tasks associated with implementing the program guide application on set-top box 48. The television distribution facility 38 may contain a processor to manage the tasks associated with the distribution of the guide. program and advertising information.

Each set-top box 48 is typically connected to an optional video cassette recorder 50 so that selected television programs can be recorded. Each video cassette recorder 50 is connected to a television 52. To record a program, decoder 48 tunes to a particular channel and sends control signals to video cassette recorder 50 (for example, using infrared transmitter 43) that instructs video cassette recorder 50 to start and end recording. at the appropriate times.

During use of the interactive television program guide implemented in set-top box 48, television program listings can be displayed on television 52. Each set-top box 48, video cassette recorder 50, and television 52 can be controlled by one or more remote controls 54 or any other suitable user input interface, such as a radio keyboard, mouse, trackball, dedicated set of keys, etc.

Communications paths 46 preferably have sufficient bandwidth to allow television distribution facility 38 to distribute scheduled television programming, pay programming, advertising, and other promotional videos, and other information to set-top boxes 44 in addition to broadcasting. non-video program guide and ad data. Set-top boxes 48 can be provided via communication paths 46 with multiple television and audio channels (analog, digital, or both both analog and digital). If so desired, program listings4

More and advertising information may be distributed by one or more distribution facilities that are similar to but independent of television distribution facility 38 using communications paths that are independent of communications paths 46.

Certain functions such as purchasing pay programs may require set-top boxes 48 to transmit data to television distribution facility 48 via communications paths 46. If desired, such data may be transmitted over telephone lines or either other independent communication paths. If functions such as the above are to be provided using facilities separate from television distribution facility 38, some of the communications involving set-top boxes 48 may be performed directly with the separate facilities.

Users can interactively order additional information, products or services. Such orders can be made by data processing facilities 49 and 51. If desired, the orders can be transmitted directly to data processing facilities such as data processing facility 51 via links 53, which can be telephone links, Internet, or other suitable communication links. Orders can also be transmitted to television distribution facility 38 via links 46, where the billing system of the television distribution facility can be used. After the television distribution facility 38 has processed the user's request, the television distribution facility 38 may transmit the order to the data processing facility 49 via link 55.

Various suitable techniques can be used to distribute the advertising related videos. For example, if each path 46 includes several traditional analog television channels, one or more of these channels may be used to support several digital channels. The bandwidth of each analog channel used to support digital channels can support ten or more such digital channels. If desired, the videos can be provided from the server 42 in a continuous loop configuration on these digital channels. The information provided to set-top box 48 can then be used to determine which channels to tune in when it is time to view the desired video. Alternatively, videos can be supplied on demand. With this solution, set-top box 48 and server 42 can negotiate to determine the channel on which the desired video is delivered. Videos originating from main facility 32 or a standalone facility are preferably distributed to user television equipment 44, using these or other suitable techniques.

As shown in Figure 2, the capabilities of the server 42 can be provided using the servers 56 located at the nodes 58 of the network. Servers such as servers 56 may be used in place of server 42 or may be used in conjunction with a server 42 located at the television distribution facility.

The graphic information for the advertisements may be periodically downloaded (eg, once a day) to the set-top boxes 48 of FIG. 1 and stored locally. The graphics information can be accessed locally when needed by the program implemented in decoder 48. Alternatively, the graphics information can be provided in a continuous loop configuration on one or more digital channels on paths 46. With such a continuous loop configuration, a map indicating the status of the latest graphics information is downloaded periodically to set-top boxes 48 (eg, once per day). This allows content on digital channels to be updated. Program guides in set-top boxes 48 can use the map to locate desired graphic information on digital channels. Another solution includes using a server such as server 42 or servers 56 (FIG. 2) to provide graphical information after decoder 48 and the server have negotiated the configuration of the download operation. A bitmap or other suitable set of graphical information can be downloaded from the server to the decoder. If desired, the server can download instructions informing the decoder where the desired graphics information can be located on a particular digital channel. The graphic information can be updated periodically if the server that is responsible for the instructions to inform the decoder of the location of the graphic information is also periodically updated.

Text information for announcements can be provided to set-top boxes 48 using the same paths that are used to distribute the program guide data. For example, advertising data from database 36 of FIG. 1 can be supplied to set-top boxes 48 using link 40, television distribution facility 38, and paths 46. The text information can be stored locally in decoders 48 and updated periodically (eg, once a day).

The text information, graphic information and videos for the advertisements can also be distributed using a combination of these techniques and any other suitable technique.

If desired, ad-related information (be it video, graphics, text, or a combination of video, graphics, and text) may be presented to the user based on the user's interests, as determined by the user's interactions with the website. program guide. This is set forth in US Patent Application Serial No. 09/034939 to Knudson, et al., March 4, 1998.

As shown in FIG. 3, the program guide of the present invention may display a program guide screen, such as the hourly listings screen 60, which contains announcement information in the form of panel announcements. 62 and 64. Although the advertisements set forth in Figure 3 are displayed in the context of an hourly program guide listing screen, the advertisements may be displayed as part of the program guide screen if desired. Examples of program guide screens on which advertisements may be displayed may include a

ES 2 274 166 T3 menu screen, a channel listings screen, a screen containing the program listings for Premium channels, a “pay per view” program listings screen, a screen containing programs for a genre in particular programming, a help screen, a music channel menu, a search screen, etc.

The content of advertisements 62 and 64 can be recycled over a suitable period of time (eg, every few seconds) if desired. The transitions between ads such as ads 62 and 64 or ads of any other format that are being recycled can be abrupt or can include a progressive fading, with a dissolving, curtain, blending or other effect. suitable special. If the user has highlighted a particular advertisement, the program guide may inhibit recycling of that advertisement.

Each advertisement can have a label that corresponds to a key on a remote control that the user can press to access the advertisement. For example, ad 62 is labeled 66 (ie, the letter "A") and ad 64 is labeled 68 (ie, the letter "B"). Other areas may be provided on the program guide screen with such labels if desired. For example, the program listing area 70 is labeled 72 (ie, the letter "C").

A suitable remote control that can be used to navigate between advertisement 62, advertisement 64, and zone 70 of the program listings is shown in Figure 4a. When the user presses the navigation keys 86a (ie "A"), the program guide highlights the advertisement 62 of Figure 3, which is the area of ​​the program guide screen that contains the label 66 ( the letter "A"). When the user presses the navigation key 86b, the program guide highlights the advertisement 64 of FIG. 3, which is the area of ​​the program guide screen containing the label 68 (the letter "B"). When the user presses the navigation key 86c, the program guide places a highlight area such as the highlight 87 of FIG. 3 in one of the program listings in the program listing area 70, which is the highlight area. the program guide screen 60 containing label 72 (the letter "C").

The remote control 74 of Figure 4a has the channel up and channel down keys 76, number keys 78, up, down, right and left cursor keys 80, a select or "OK" key 82, and the keys Function keys 84. Function keys 84 may include a "menu" key, an "exit" key, a "guide" key, and keys for other program guide functions. Other keys such as the on / off key, volume control keys, etc., are also provided on the remote control 74, but are not shown in FIG. 4a to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

If desired, a remote control may be provided having dedicated buttons 75 in the same shape and configuration as the advertisements and program listings on the display screen, as shown in Figure 4b. Pressing the button 75a takes the user to the top panel advertisement. Pressing the button 75b takes the user to the lower panel advertisement. Pressing the button 75c takes the user to the program listings area.

As shown in Figure 3, program guide screens such as screen 60 can be provided with a cable system operator ("MSO") with logo 88 and logo 90 for the guide provider. of programs. Any other suitable logos can be provided if desired. Title 92 may be provided to indicate the type of program guide screen currently being displayed. The current time and the current channel to which the decoder 48 is tuned can be displayed in the area of ​​the current time and the current channel 93.

The program listings 95 in the program listings area 70 may be configured into a channel-ordered list (in the vertical dimension) and by hours (in the horizontal orientation). The program listings area 70 typically contains the program title information for the various television programs, and may include descriptive information such as pilot summaries, ratings, and the like.

Ads such as ads 62 and 64 can include text, graphics, and video information. The user can select an advertisement of interest by highlighting that advertisement using the navigation keys 86 and pressing the "OK" key 82 on the remote control 74 (FIG. 4). The program guide can perform various actions when an advertisement is selected by the user. For example, the program guide may provide a screen such as screen 94 of FIG. 5, containing text ad information 96, display ad information 98 (which may include animation), and video ad information 100. The screen 94 may also contain advertisement options 102 that provide the user with additional opportunities to view information, place an order, and so on.

The action taken by the program guide when the user selects an advertisement will vary depending on the type of advertisement. For example, if the ad is a promotion for a television program, the program guide may provide the user with an opportunity to tune in to the program (if it is currently running) or to set a reminder for the program (if it is being broadcast). broadcast in the future). If the program being promoted in the ad is a "pay-per-view" program, the program guide may provide the user with the opportunity to order the program. If the ad is a promotion for a television channel, the program guide can display the program listings for that channel.

When the advertisement is a promotion for a television program or channel, the text advertisement information 96 can be a text that describes the program or a program or channel information with graphic information that can be a still image of the actors of the program or well a graphic image of a logo. The video advertisement information 100 may be a promotional video for the program or future programming on the channel. Screen 94 may contain some or all of the different types of advertising media.

If the ad is not directly related to a television program or channel (that is, the ad is a conventional ad), the program guide may provide the user with the opportunity to com6

ES 2 274 166 T3 buy the product or service that is being advertised. The program guide may also allow the user to view more information about the product or service being advertised. In this situation, the text advertisement information 96 of FIG. 5 may be a description of the product or service, the graphic advertisement information 98 may be an image of the product or service, and the video advertisement information 102 may be a video promotion of the product or service. Ad options 102 can allow the user to order more information or an explanatory brochure, to view the product video, or to request a call from the sales agent, etc.

For example, if the item being advertised in an advertisement is a new truck, the program guide may provide the advertisement options 104 of Figure 6. The advertisement options 104 may be displayed as part of the screen 94, in place on the screen 94, or as part of the ad itself. Typical options related to advertising a new truck include an option 106 to request an explanatory brochure, an option to view a video tour of the new truck, an option 110 to view a list of local vendors, an option 112 to view or request financing information, or an option114 to buy the truck. Additional options can be accessed by scrolling up or down, as indicated by arrows 116.

As shown in FIG. 7, an embedded selectable advertisement 118 may be provided within the program listings area 120 of the program guide screen 122. The user can access zone 120 by pressing navigation key "C" 86c on remote control 74 (FIG. 4a). Selecting in program listings area 120 causes the program guide to display 122 in a suitable location within the program listings area. For example, the highlight 22 may be placed over the most recently highlighted program listings, or over the program listings at the top of the program listings area 120.

The advertisement 118 may be fixed or it may scroll through the program listings. If ad 118 scrolls through the program listings in zone 120, pressing the down course key 80 when the highlight is in the program listing for channel 9 as shown in Figure 7, will cause the listings to scroll to the positions shown in figure 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the highlight zone 122 has scrolled to the program listing for the next program in zone 120 (ie, the listing for channel 10). Additionally, advertisement 118 has been moved one line from its position in Figure 7. Using the up cursor key 80 when the highlight 122 is in the upper position of zone 120 of the program listings causes the program listings in zone 120 and advertisement 118 to scroll in the downward direction. .

If the ad 118 has a fixed position in the program listings area 120, scrolling up or down with the cursor keys 80 will not affect the position of the ad 118, but will simply scroll the program listings. If the down cursor key is pressed when the highlight is positioned over the top of the channel 9 program listing, as shown in Figure 7, the position of ad 118 will remain unchanged, but the program listings will remain unchanged. they will scroll up one line and the highlight 112 will move to the top of the program listing for channel 10, as shown in Figure 9.

If desired, the program guide may allow the user to search through various program listings while the position of an advertisement in the program listings will remain fixed, as shown in Figure 10. To navigate to Through the program listings, the user can use the remote control's page up and page down keys (shown as function keys 84 in Figure 4a). Alternatively, the program guide may provide a new page of program listings when the user activates the down cursor key after positioning the highlight on the last program listing on the page (i.e., the channel 6 listing in the upper screen of figure 10).

As shown in Figures 11a, 11b, and 11c, an advertisement can be inserted into a program listings area dynamically, using graphics animation. In FIG. 11a, the program listings area 124 contains only the program listings 126. After a suitable interval of time (for example, a few seconds after the program guide displays the screen 124 of FIG. 11a), the program guide may generate an animated display ad that appears to be sliding within zone 124 dynamically from the program listings, as shown in Figure 11b. When the animated sliding motion is complete, the program listings area 124 will appear as shown in FIG. 11c, with the advertisement 128 embedded in the program listings 126. The animated motion shown in FIGS. 11a, 11b, and 11c are for illustration only. Any other suitable type of special effect can be used to display ad 128. Examples of special effects that can be used include fades, wipes, skips, and warps.

As shown in Figures 12a and 12b, the program guide may allow the user to position the highlight area 138 on logos such as the MSO logo 130 and the program guide provider on logo 132 that are not in zone 136 of the program listings. In the configuration shown in FIG. 12a, the user can navigate to logo 130 in advertisement 134 using the up cursor key 80. The user can navigate from logo 130 to advertisement 130 using the down arrow key 80. Navigation between logo 150 and logo 132 can be performed using the left and right arrow keys. In the configuration of Figures 12b, navigation to the guide provider logo 132 is possible using the up cursor key from the program listings area 136. Initially, pressing the cursor up key 80 will scroll the program listings in the program listings area 136. After the user has logged off, 7

ES 2 274 166 T3 moved to the first listing of programs in the list (for example, channel 1), further use of the up cursor key 80 will cause the highlight zone 138 to be repositioned from the program listing from channel 1 to logo 132, as shown in Figure 12b.

If the user selects the MSO logo 130, the program guide may provide additional information on MSO services. If the user selects the guide provider logo 132, the user can be provided with the help of the program guide. These are only examples of the types of information that can be accessed by selecting the logos. Any other suitable type of information or program guide functions may be accessed in this way if desired.

As shown in FIG. 13, the program listings area 140 contains more than one embedded advertisement. Embedded advertisements such as advertisements 142 and 114 are used as navigational bridges between program listings area 140 and advertisements such as panel advertisements 146-148. For example, if the user places the highlight 150 on the advertisement 142 as shown in FIG. 13, pressing the left cursor key 80 will direct the program guide to reset the highlight 150 on the advertisement 146. The user will be able to navigate from back to announcement 142 in program listings area 140 using the right cursor key 80. If the user places the highlight 150 on the advertisement 144, pressing the left cursor key 80 will direct the program guide to reset the highlight 150 on the advertisement 148. The user can navigate between the advertisements 146 and 148 using the cursor keys 80 up and down.

When the user has positioned the highlight 150 over one of the program listings 152 in the program listings area 140, subsequent use of the left and right cursor keys 80 will direct the program guide to display the program listings. for a few different hours. In the example of Figure 13, pressing the right cursor key 80 to direct the program guide to display the program listings for 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM instead of the program listings already displayed for the 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Pressing the left cursor key 80 will direct the program guide to display the program listings for 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM instead of the already displayed program listings for 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM .

With the configuration of Figure 13, the user can navigate from the program listings area 140 to advertisements 146 and 148 using advertisements 152 and 144 as navigation bridges even when the current time (2:03 in the example of FIG. 13) is earlier than the start time period for the displayed program listings (5:00).

In the configuration of Figure 14, the user navigates between the program listings area and advertisements 154 and 156 by repeatedly pressing the left cursor key 80 until the time period for the program listings is set. has been shortened to equal the current hour (for example, within a 30 minute window). This is shown in figure 14, in which the start time

162 of the program listings has been reduced to 2:00 PM to bring it in line with the current time 164 (2:03 PM) by repeatedly pressing the right cursor key 80, while the highlighting 158 was on one of the program listings 166 or above the ad 160.

When the left cursor key 80 is pressed, the program guide can position the highlight 159 over the nearest adjacent advertisement (i.e., advertisement 154 when the highlight 158 ​​is over a list of programs at the top of the screen. or announcement 156 when the highlight 158 ​​is over a list of programs at the bottom of the screen). If desired, the program guide can place the highlight 158 ​​on one of the advertisements based on other criteria, (for example, always on the top advertisement, always on the advertisement for which a higher fee has been paid, etc.) .

Figure 15 shows how the program guide can provide advertisements in the form of banner advertisements 168 and 170 positioned above and below the program listings area 172. Ad 170 is shown containing video 171. Figure 15 shows how advertisements 168 and 170 and program listing area 172 can be labeled 174 to aid in navigation between parts of the screen, using special navigation keys such as navigation keys 86 on the screen. remote control 74 of FIG. 4a. When the user presses the navigation key 86a of the remote control 74, the program guide positions the highlight 176 on the banner ad 168. When the user presses the navigation key 86b on the remote control 74, the program guide positions the highlight 176 over the banner ad 170. When the user presses the navigation key 86c on the remote control 74, the program guide positions the highlighted 74 over one of the program listings in program listing area 172 (eg, the topmost program listing or the most recent highlighted program listing). If desired, the number keys can be used as special navigation keys, instead of dedicated keys 86a, 86b and 86c.

Figure 16 shows how the program guide can allow the user to navigate to banner ads such as banner ads 178 and 180 from the program listings area 182, without the use of keys. such as dedicated keys 86a, 86b and 86c of remote control 74 (FIG. 4a). With the configuration shown in Figure 16, when the user has positioned the highlight 184 over the lowest program listing in the program listing area 182 (that is, the channel 5 program listing as shown on the screen 16), subsequent pressing of the down cursor key 80 will direct the program guide to reset the highlight zone 184 above the lower banner ad 180, as shown in the middle screen of FIG. 16, instead of immediately scrolling through the program listings in the program listings area 182. Further activation of the down cursor key 80 will direct the program guide to display the next page of program listings.

ES 2 274 166 T3 in zone 182 of the program listings, as shown in the lower screen of figure 16, while the highlight 184 is reset on the banner type advertisement 178. The user can then activate the cursor below 80 to position the highlight 184 over the desired listing.

The user can navigate to the top banner ad 178 using the up cursor key 80. When the user has positioned the highlight 184 over the topmost program listing in the program listings area 182, subsequent activation of the up cursor key 80 will direct the program guide to resetting the highlight area 184 Above Banner Ad Top 178. Activation of the up cursor key 80 when the highlight area 184 has reset over the advertisement 178 will direct the program guide to display the previous page of the program listings in the area 182 of the program listings, while The highlight area 184 is reset on the banner ad 180. The user can then activate the up cursor 80 to position the highlight 184 over a desired listing.

Ads can be used to promote any type of product or service. When advertisements are used to promote television programs, the program guide may allow the selection of an advertisement to provide access to the functions of the program guide, which could be accessed by selecting from a program listing. from a program screen. Functions that can be accessed in this way include viewing a program (or tuning it in), recording a program, setting a program reminder, and so on. This allows advertisements to be used to promote programs, thereby generating revenue and increasing user awareness of the availability of advertised programs, while continuing to provide the user with the same program guide functions that the user is familiar with. Username.

For example, if the user selects advertisement 186 of FIG. 17 for program "ER", the program guide may display screen 188 of FIG. 18.1a which contains a description of program 190 of an ER episode, the advertisements 192 and 194, and program options 196. Program 196 options include "exit" (to exit screen 188), "watch" (to tune the channel for ER), and "record" (to command the program guide implemented in decoder 48 to to go to the cassette recorder 50 to record ER). Other options can be accessed by using the left and right cursor keys 80, as indicated by arrows 198.

The program options that can be provided depend on the type of program that is being advertised in the selected advertisement. For example, if the selected advertisement is for a future program, the program guide could provide the user with the opportunity to set a reminder of the program. As shown in FIG. 19, if an advertisement is selected for a "pay per view" program, the user may be presented with an option 200 to order the program. Display 202 may also contain program descriptions 204 and 206, title 208, logos 210, and a zone

212 containing a video of the program (which may be provided, for example, via a digital channel on path 46), a still image, or other material.

The descriptions provided in the description areas such as for the descriptions 204 and 206, may be promotional descriptions that are specifically designed to attract the interest of the viewer, or they may be neutral reviews of the program being described.

Screen 213 of FIG. 20 contains banner ad 214 for a "pay per view" program and banner ad 216 for a series. The program listings area 218 contains an embedded advertisement 220. Navigation between the advertisements and the program listings on the screen

213 can be done using the up and down cursor keys as shown in the figure

16.

If the user selects advertisement 214 of FIG. 20, the user is presented with screen 222. Because the program "Volcán" is the subject of the advertisement

214 is a "pay per view" program, the selection of advertisement 214 leads to the program to present the options 224 of the pay per view program as part of box 226 of the description of the "pay per view" system. Options for the 224 program include the options to purchase the Volcán program (for example, by impulse ordering or by calling a certain phone number), to record the program, or to cancel the display of box 226 and options 224. Box 226 may also include information 230 on the channel and broadcast times of the program of interest. With the configuration of screen 222, the uppermost program listing in the program listing area 218 of screen 213 (ie, the program listing 228 for the "Andy Griffith" program is still being displayed. This provides the user a visual indication that the program listings in program listing area 218 are still being available if the user selects "cancel."

If the user selects advertisement 216 of FIG. 20, the user is presented with screen 232. Because the program "ER" that is the subject of advertisement 216 is not being broadcast in progress, and it is not an "Pay per view", the selection of advertisement 216 will cause the program guide to display the program options 234 as part of the description box 236. The program options 234 include options to set a reminder for the program (such that the program guide will generate a reminder message when the program is about to air), to record the program, or to cancel the program. With the screen 232 configuration, the topmost program listing in the program listing area 218 of screen 213 (ie, the program listing 238 for the "Andy Griffith" program is still being displayed. This provides the user a visual indication that the program listings in program listing area 218 are being available if the user selects "cancel."

When the program guide displays screens 222 and 232, information about program descriptions and program options are displayed.

ES 2 274 166 T3 programs at the bottom of the screen, so that the top banner 214 is not blocked. Logos 240 and 242 can be displayed on screens 213, 222 and 232. The current time and the current channel to which decoder 48 is tuned can be displayed simultaneously or periodically (for example, alternately every few seconds) in zone 244. The title of the program guide display screen can be viewed in area 246.

As shown in FIG. 21, the program guide can automatically position embedded advertisements such as embedded advertisement 248 immediately adjacent to the program listings of the channel (eg, channel 1) that the embedded advertisement is promoting. For example, ad 248 may contain text and graphics promoting program "X" on channel 1. Ad 248 is immediately adjacent to program listing 252 on channel 1. The content of the embedded ad need not be directly related to the promotion of the adjacent program, but may be related to the adjacent program in some other way. For example, a soccer memorabilia embedded ad can be placed immediately adjacent to the schedule for a soccer game. If desired, the program guide can provide the user with an opportunity to purchase the advertised product by selecting an advertisement. Because advertisements such as ad 248 may contain color text, graphics (including animation), and video, which may attract the user's attention to the subject of the advertisement, placing such advertisements adjacent to your listings associated programs can increase user interest in program listings. The embedded advertisements can be replaced with the program listings (for example, during the user's scrolling or searching of the program listings), so that they remain adjacent to their associated program listings.

If the embedded ad is for a show, users who have been drawn to the ad will not have to scroll through the listings (potentially over many pages) to locate the listings for the show for the show being promoted. This provides the user with a simple visual indication of the association between, for example, the channel 1 program listing and the adjacent embedded advertisement. It also provides the user with access to the program's original list of programs and the advertisement. Because the content of the description and the options that are available may differ between the program listing and the advertisement, access to the program listings and the advertisement provides the user with more options.

Additionally, users who are interested in certain program listings often revisit those program listings. Ad space adjacent to such program listings may therefore be desirable to certain advertisers. By routinely placing embedded advertisements immediately adjacent to associated program listings, you can increase the value of such embedded advertisements to advertisers.

As shown in Figure 22, the advertisements may be related to a particular channel (eg, the "HBO" channel). If the user selects the advertisement 252 of the HBO channel from the screen 254, the program guide may display a screen such as the screen 256. The screen 256 contains an advertisement 258 that is related to the HBO channel. The advertisement 258 is displayed containing a graphic image 260, but may contain any suitable combination of text, graphics (including an animation), and video. Program listings area 262 contains an hourly listing of programs scheduled to appear on the HBO channel. The highlight 264 on display 256 is positioned at the top of a menu option 266 for the "HBO" channel. The user can navigate to menu option 268 (for channel “SHO”) and menu option 270 (for channel “TBS”) using the left and right cursor keys 80. Individual channels can be accessed by additional use of the left and right cursor keys 80, as indicated by arrows 272. Current time 274 and logos 276 can be displayed on both screens 254 and 256 .

Figure 23 is a flow chart of illustrative actions that can be performed by the program guide when the user selects an advertisement. At step 278, the program guide presents a selectable advertisement as part of a program guide screen. In step 280, the user can use a remote control such as remote control 74 of FIG. 4a to select a desired advertisement. Selecting an ad includes navigating to the ad by positioning an highlight over the ad with the cursor keys 80 and activating a select key or an "OK" key 82. Any type of highlight can be used to highlight the advertisement, including highlights based on changes in color, shading, general characters, etc.

The type of action that the program guide executes will depend on the type of advertisement selected by the user. Actions that can be taken include: tuning to a channel (step 282), setting a reminder for a program (step 284), recording a program (step 286), setting up the purchase of a program from the "pay per view" system (step 288), setting the purchase of a video on demand (VOD) program (step 290), display the program listings (step 292), display additional information (step 294), process a question about additional information such as a request for an explanatory brochure, etc. . (step 296), and configure the purchase of products or services (step 298). The program guide can run these stages separately or in any other suitable combination.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.